Tekla StructuresDetailing Guide

Product version 21.0March 2015

2015 Tekla Corporation

Contents

1 Components........................................................................................................51.1 Component concepts................................................................................................................ 51.2 Component Catalog.................................................................................................................. 81.3 Component properties.............................................................................................................. 91.4 Creating a component............................................................................................................11

2 Working with components............................................................................. 142.1 Steel component example: Creating an end plate using the End plate (144)

connection...............................................................................................................................142.2 Steel component example: Creating a base plate and anchor rods using the

Base plate (1004) detail........................................................................................................152.3 Steel component example: Creating a beam to column connection using the

Column with stiffeners (186) connection .......................................................................... 162.4 Concrete component example: Creating a corbel connection using the Corbel

connection (14) connection.................................................................................................. 172.5 Reinforcement component example: Creating a pad footing reinforcement

using the Pad footing reinforcement (77) modeling tool..................................................182.6 Viewing a component.............................................................................................................192.7 Modifying a component.........................................................................................................20

Grouping components in the Component Catalog.................................................................................................21Adding descriptions and keywords for components in the Component Catalog.......................................... 22Changing a thumbnail image in the Component Catalog................................................................................... 23

2.8 Converting a conceptual or a detailed component.............................................................232.9 Component tips.......................................................................................................................24

3 AutoConnection...............................................................................................263.1 AutoConnection setup............................................................................................................26

Creating a rule group for AutoConnection...............................................................................................................28Creating a rule set for AutoConnection.................................................................................................................... 28Changing a connection in an AutoConnection rule set........................................................................................29

3.2 Using AutoConnection........................................................................................................... 30

4 AutoDefaults....................................................................................................324.1 AutoDefaults setup.................................................................................................................32

Creating a rule group for AutoDefaults.....................................................................................................................34Creating a rule set for AutoDefaults.......................................................................................................................... 34Modifying connection properties for AutoDefaults............................................................................................... 36

4.2 Using AutoDefaults.................................................................................................................37

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5 AutoConnection and AutoDefaults rules...................................................... 385.1 Combining and iterating properties for AutoDefaults........................................................405.2 AutoDefaults example: Using iteration with connection check........................................ 425.3 Using reaction forces and UDLs in AutoDefaults and AutoConnection............................44

6 Disclaimer.........................................................................................................45

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1 Components

Once you have created a frame of parts in your Tekla Structures model, you will need toconnect the parts to complete the model. To connect the parts, you can use components.Components are tools that automate tasks and group objects so that Tekla Structures treatsthem as a single unit.

Tekla Structures contains a wide range of predefined system components by default. Thecomponents are stored in the Component Catalog. To open the Component Catalog, clickDetailing --> Component --> Component Catalog or press Ctrl+F.

The main benefits of using components are:

Components adapt to changes in the model, which means that Tekla Structuresautomatically modifies a component if you modify the parts it connects.

When you copy or move objects, Tekla Structures automatically copies or moves all theassociated components with the objects.

You can save the properties of a component and use them in other projects.

Component concepts on page 5

Component Catalog on page 7

Component properties on page 9

Creating a component on page 11

Working with components on page 14

1.1 Component conceptsYou can use components to connect parts in the model. Components automatically createthe objects, for example, plates, welds, and bolts that are required to connect the parts.

Tekla Structures contains a wide range of system components by default. There are threetypes of system components:

See also

Systemcomponents

Components 5 Component concepts

Connections connect two or more parts, and create all the required objects such as cuts,fittings, parts, bolts, and welds.

For example, end plates, clip angles, and bolted gusset are connections.

Details add a detail or a reinforcement to the main part. A detail is only connected toone part.

For example, stiffeners, base plates, and lifting hooks are steel details, and beamreinforcement and pad footing reinforcement are concrete details.

Modeling tools automatically create and assemble the parts to build a structure, but donot connect the structure to existing parts. Modeling tools can include connections anddetails.

For example, stairs, frames, and towers are modeling tools.

You can also create your own components, custom components, if you do not find a systemcomponent that suits your needs. You can use custom components in the same way assystem components.

Components are stored in the Component Catalog. To open the Component Catalog, clickDetailing --> Component --> Component Catalog or press Ctrl+F.

Each component has a dialog box where you can define the properties of the component. Youcan open the dialog box by double-clicking the component in the Component Catalog.

To create a component you need to select existing parts or pick existing points. Componentshave a main part that you select first when creating a component, and a secondary part thatyou select after you have selected the main part. A component can have none, one or moresecondary parts. Connections and details always have a main part but not all modeling toolshave a main part and secondary parts.

The example image below shows the default selection order of a connection:

1. Select the main part.

2. Select the secondary part.

3. The connection is automatically created when you select the secondary part.

ComponentCatalog

Componentproperties

Component mainpart and

secondary part

Components 6 Component concepts

4. Double-click the connection symbol to see information about the connection. Theconnection symbol is green if the connection was created successfully.

If the connection symbol is yellow, the component was created but there are someproblems. If the connection symbol is red, the component was not created.

Up direction indicates how the connection is rotated around the secondary part, relative to

the current work plane. The symbol on the Picture tab of the component dialog boxindicates the correct up direction.

If there are no secondary parts, Tekla Structures rotates the connection around the main part.The options are: +x, -x, +y, -y, +z, -z.You can change the default up direction on the General tab of the component dialog box. Trychanging the positive directions first.

Component Catalog on page 7

Component properties on page 9

Creating a component on page 11

Up direction

See also

Components 7 Component Catalog

1.2 Component CatalogComponents are stored in the Component Catalog. To open the Component Catalog, clickDetailing --> Component --> Component Catalog or press Ctrl+F.

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